About The Band

Shady Drive‘s recipe begins with a strong base of 60′s and 70′s rock ‘n’ roll, then we add a helping of guitar-based blues and a pinch of today’s more popular modern rock acts. Finish with a dash of some oldies but goodies, turn on the heat and PRESTO, you’ve got an amazingly fun and entertaining band that will keep the dance floor full all night!

Shady Drive is most often a power trio consisting of Rob ‘Shady’ Hayes (guitar/vocals), Mike Starcher (drums/vocals) and Blake Kniola (bass/vocals). The band also has the unique ability to add keyboards, saxophone and a three or four-piece horn section at a moment’s notice. They’ve performed relentlessly in Northeast Ohio over the past 12 years and have been featured regularly at The Fairview Tavern, Parkview Nite Club, Shooters on the Water, The Sly Fox, Park Tavern, John O’s at Clay’s Park, Halloran Park, Doc and Louie’s Bar and Grill, Twilight at the Zoo, House of Blues – Cleveland, The Savannah Bar and Grille, Hard Rock Cafe, The Blue Turtle, Club Velvet and 42Eighty Food and Drink in addition to a heavy schedule of private events and weddings. Their CD of original material “Darker Shade Of Blue” is getting heavy airplay on BluesMusicFan.com, and was ranked#3 in the Internet radio station’s list of the Top 20 Blues CDs of 2015. Here’s what the station’s website had to say:

[#3 ] – DARKER SHADE OF BLUE – SHADY DRIVE

Who?

OK we know that question is going to be asked a lot. This Cleveland trio proves that Cleveland really does rock … the blues! The album is full of blues originals, and one audacious cover of “Folsom Prison Blues”. Independently produced and a cut above the others, our own DJ Siani (in New Zealand!) stumbled across this album from an Ohio band, and told the rest of us about it – and we were pretty much all hooked and big fans – and we want more!

Chris Allen: These guys are the definition of a working man’s blues band. A rocking self-owned sound and true passion for what they do.

Here’s what some other music lovers have to say about Shady Drive:

“You were amazing! Everyone said how much they enjoyed you and we absolutely loved it. Would you have the set list? We would love to have it if you do. Thanks again for making it such a great event. – Ian and Caitlin, June 2017

“I thought you guys rocked. In fact, Tim, the owner of the company is rarely impressed, and he was blown away by the level of professionalism. You may have talked to him afterwards and gotten that sense. By the way, he rarely spends that much time talking to the bands..another indication.” Eric V., Sound Tech (Richfield Home Days), August 2014

“If you like to dance, come see Shady Drive with the horns and keys. I saw them at Vosh, Doc and Louie’s, and the Savannah. The dance floor was full all night long!” – Chris O., March 2014

“Heard these guys at a wedding last summer. Now I make a point to go to their shows whenever they are in my neck of the woods.” – David B., March 2014

“I’m a huge Beatles fan and these guys really do them justice. I have no idea how they pull them off with only three people.” – Eric T., March 2014

“These guys will play anything you want to hear! I’ve heard them play songs from early rock’n'roll to metal to acoustic pop to country.” – Greg D., March 2014

“Classic Rock that’s better than the record!” – Bert P., March 2014

“Best band in the ‘land.” – Tom D., March 2014“I love listening to these guys. I’m a musician myself, and when I have the night off, I find Shady Drive. They are great musicians.” – Anthony G., March 2014

“They are definitely the best band in Ohio.” – Ethan H., March 2014

“These guys can play AND sing! Not too many bands out there that can REALLY do both! Shady Drive can!” – Zack A., March 2014

“Shady Drive is amazing! They do awesome cover songs, but I love it when they bust out their originals. Hopefully they make a CD!” – Kyle F., March 2014

“These guys rock!” – Dan A., March 2014

“We saw them at our company picnic last year. They covered Jimi Hendrix better than any band I’ve ever heard!” – Keith W., March 2014

“These guys are the hardest working band in Cleveland! They are all over town, rockin’ out. If you haven’t seen them before, do yourself a favor and check out Shady Drive!” – Doug F., March 2014

“great musicians! These guys can play ANYTHING!” – Devin T., March 2014

“I saw these guys at Wade Oval Wednesday with a blues brothers band. They were great!” – Toby M., March 2014

“awesome sound. These guys have such a fat sound–and there’s only three of them!” – Ken R., March 2014

“I saw these guys play an unplugged show last weekend. Their vocal harmonies were great, and their sound was awesome.” – Vince F., March 2014

“Whether they are with the horns and keys, or playing as a power trio, Shady Drive puts on a hell of a show!” – Evan R., March 2014

“Always the BEST band at Twilight at the Zoo! I partied with them all night last year!” – K R., March 2014

“I like Shady Drive’s versions better than the originals. These guys put on a show!” – Tb P., March 2014

“best rocking band around town!” – Pat P., March 2014

“Shady Drive rocks!!!!!!” – Sandy B., March 2014

“Awesome sound. Super covers and some really awesome original music too!” – Walter S., March 2014

“Shady Drive is awesome. I love these guys!” – Shelley H., March 2014

“RTFO!!!! \m/” - Amanda B., March 2014

“They played for my daughter’s wedding. They are the best!” – Kathie P., March 2014

“This is an awesome band, have met the band and they are just great guys who play amazingly….a band you can dance to or just sit back and jam to….you would not be disappointed!” – Debbie M., February 2014

“Good music played by excellent musicians.” – Herb S., February 2014

“Plays classic rock that no other bands even attempt to play!” – Laura R., Strongsville, Ohio, February 2014

“\m/( – . – )\m/” – Jason N., Berea, Ohio, February 2014

“Every single one of you were great and we certainly won’t stop coming out to see you play. Please extend our thanks to everyone else in the band and to Erin too! We will be recommending you to EVERYONE!” Shana and Eric R., Medina, Ohio – October 2013

“Rob Hayes is the leader of Shady Drive and he was just fabulous, in terms of talent, niceness, professionalism, and accessibility. All the other band members were great, too. All of our guests danced and had fun with the band the entire evening, and their music was fun, energetic and just great. The bride and groom wanted a classic rock band, and they found Shady Drive on the web, went to one of their gigs and were very impressed. At this wedding reception, the guests of ALL ages danced all night and had an absolute blast with the band. This band is GREAT.” – Becky G., Shaker Heights, Ohio – August 2013

“Looking for a rocking good time at your reception? Shady Drive may just be the answer. This Blues/Rock Band epitomizes the Cleveland sound with their heavy 60s and 70s rock influences, filled out by a bluesy sound. Shady Drive can be caught performing at many area live music venues, but are also available for private events. Your guests will rock the night away when you book this band for your wedding.” – Danielle Andes, CBS Cleveland, “Best Wedding Bands In Cleveland” – March 2013

“Great show at the Mad Cactus last Friday! Best local band I’ve ever seen. Hope to catch another show soon.” – Gary F., Stow, Ohio – February 2013

“Saw a really cool band last night at Doc and Louie’s Bar & Grille, Shady Drive… they also had the North Coast Horns with them and it was such a good full sound! Classic Rock and blues, nice change! LOVE my rock n roll, but sometimes something different is just what the doctor ordered!” – Jeanette E., Cleveland, Ohio – November 2012

“I really enjoyed you guys last night at 4280! First time seeing you and I’d definitely check you out again!!!” – Michelle S., Brunswick, Ohio – October 2012

“Thanks guys, had a great time last night! Always great to see and hear you entertain us!! “Outstanding job” ” – Mary L., Cleveland, Ohio – September 2012

“You guys never fail to impress us with your musical talent! We love what you do!” – Laura R., Strongsville, Ohio – September 2012

“Thanks, Shady Drive, for your support during Twilight at the Zoo. You sounded great! We at Metro Toyota/Scion had a great night and we look forward to doing it again next year!” – Metro Toyota, Cleveland, Ohio – August 2012

“You guys were awesome at our wedding last night! So many people commented about how good you were! You kept everyone dancing and wanting more, hence why they wanted a second encore! Thank you again and we will no doubt recommend you to anyone we can!” – Anna W., Columbus, Ohio – June 2012

“…great time listening to you guys play at Sassy’s last night! Hope to catch you around town again, and definitely at Twilight at the Zoo again this year!” – Lisa B., Twinsburg, Ohio – June 2012

“Awesome guitar player! We’ve listened to some bands and have to say…you are the best!! You guys rock!!” – Debbie J., Amherst, Ohio – Jan. 2012

“We LOVED Shady Drive. They did an amazing job for our wedding, and I would highly recommend them. They played great covers, and people were dancing all night. We had the female vocalist and the keyboard player in addition to the basic drums, guitar and bass, and I think the additional musicians really added a lot. Everyone at our wedding keeps mentioning that the band at our wedding was great. We definitely think that you should book these guys. They’re great!” — Margaret S., Cleveland Heights, Ohio – November 2011

“This is definitely the best band around!” – Mari W., Cleveland, Ohio, October 2011

“Shady Drive. Best Bluesy rock and roll North of the Mason Dixon Line” – Walt S., Strongsville, Ohio, October 2011

“Shady Drive did a great job for our graduation party. They allowed my son to play a couple of songs with them as well. Whatever I asked they were very accommodating. I would certainly use them again. Thanks Rob and the rest of the band for doing such a great job for us. It made our son’s day all the more special.” — Tony C., Wickliffe, Ohio – June 2011

“FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE!!!! We loved this band! We hired Shady Drive to play our wedding reception, and we never could have dreamed they’d be so good! They’re a REALLY great band. They are professional, fun, easygoing, nice people who were completely flexible when we ran really late. Rob acted as emcee for toasts and introductions. Even when our guests started making crazy requests, they were completely cool. The band got everyone young and old out on the dance floor, and people absolutely loved them. We would hire them again in a heartbeat. Two HUGE thumbs up, and a glowing recommendation of Shady Drive to anyone looking for a band to play their next event.” — Katy P., Gambier, Ohio – June 2011

“Shady Drive was one of the first to respond with a bid to our Luau Wedding this summer. We went with friends to see them perform locally and were very impressed with their musical talent, and booked them. My wife and I have a very special song and Shady Drive offered to learn it for the wedding. If I didn’t personally see Shady Drive performing I’m Yours, I would’ve thought Jason Mraz was singing it himself. My wife and I, our families, friends, and guests were all very impressed by the enthusiasm, entertainment and talent of the Shady Drive Band. We would HIGHLY recommend Shady Drive to anyone looking to have a rockin’ good time for their special event.” — Patrick L., Catawba Island, Ohio – June 2010

“Rob Hayes and Shady Drive were very easy to work with and gave us a great performance. They were friendly, helpful, prepared, easy to work with (even with my difficult self), and most importantly not your typical wedding band – and by that I mean they are actually talented musicians who happen to be organized enough to keep a wedding moving and entertained. If you have been searching high and low for a good band to play your wedding and DJ between breaks, during dinner, and for special dances then do what I did and call Rob and Shady Drive…they’ll take care of you.” — Kyle W., Cleveland, Ohio – June 2010

Shady Drive cranks out fan favorites by:
Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, CCR, The Beatles, The Blues Brothers, Eric Clapton, George Thorogood, Led Zeppelin, Sublime, Weezer, The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band and ZZ Top… just to name a few.

These influences are apparent in their original tunes, which are available on the full-length CD “Darker Shade Of Blue“:
“Blue #9″, “Can’t Walk A Straight Line”, “One For The Road”, “One More Chance”
“Please Come Back To Me”,”Things You Never Said”, “Drivin’ It”, “Goin’ Down To C-Town” and “What Do The Blues Mean To You?”